Slicing apparatus and method



Sept. ll, 1934.y J. J. DIAMOND ET AL 1,973,526

SLICING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed uarc'h 25, 1932 '4 sheets-sheet 1 NNnu .vm Fm. .vOOOCCOKOOQ OOG. O ,0, G

INVENTORS HES rLD/HOND HARRY T/NSMM/ JAMES SCOTT N 7% .4m/AM v ATTORNEY115| v Illllllllrlmmwl fr fm@ PP.\\ ,E N@ @n wmf# 2 x am a .v e @v v mi.291m FWO] lll s 0m V @M mw wa-. l a .mda

Sept, 11,11934. 1 1 D|AMOND Er AL 1,973,526

SLICING APPARATUS AND METHOD l Filed March 25, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.wlanulmmrmn.

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J. J. DIAMOND ET AL SLICING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed March 23. 1932 4Sheets-Sheet 3 %'1 NVENToRs ATTOR N EY Sept 1l, 1934 J. J. DIAMOND Er AL1,973,526

SLICING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed March 25, 1932 4 sheets-sheetl 4' .v/INVENToRs 1A/15s d D/Amwa -l HARRY T/Msm/v JAM/ss scoTT Patented Slept.411, 1934 SLICING APPARATUS AND METHOD James J. Diamond, 'New Rochelle,N. Y., and Harry Tinsman and` James Scott,y Detroit, Mich., assignors toWard Baking Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication March 23,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to slicing machines adapted to cut food productsand the like into slices of appropriate thickness and to a new method ofslicing such products. It is particularly suited to the cutting ofbread, cake or the like into slices of uniform thickness, although it iscapable of adaptation to a variety of other uses.

Aiconsiderable demand has recently grown up for pre-sliced breaddirectly available for the making of sandwiches and-toast. 4This hasnecessitated the development of complicated machinery to be used bylargebakeries for the purpose of slicing and packaging thousands of loavesdaily. lHeretofore the slicing machines employedhave included a seriesof parallel, rotating blades each adapted to cut only a single slicefrom a loaf of' bread. The number of blades required has depended uponthe number of slices to be cut from a single loaf. The cutters and loafhave been given 20 a relative movement transversely of the axes of thecutters. I'his has necessitated the provision of reciprocating partswith the result that the cutting operation has been intermittent and thespeed attainable has been limited.

It has been a primary object of the present invention to simplify theconstruction of a slicing machine and speed up its operation to thepoint of cutting a great many more slices in a given time interval thanhas been possible heretofore. A feature of the invention is theprovision of only a single blade or cutter to perform the entire slicingoperation upon successive loaves. The employment of reciprocating partsto provide for the feed between the cutter and work has been eliminatedand the cutting operation is made substantially continuous. 'I'he loavesare fedin a direction parallel with the axisV of rotation of the cutterand vthey are advanced continuously past the cutter.

More specifically the invention contemplates the provision of a helicalor spiral cutter having a lead equal to the thickness of the slices tobe cut. The arrangement is such that when the cutter once enters theloaf at one lend it is never completely withdrawn until the entire loafhas been sliced. Furthermore, the cutting edge of the blade is so formedand arranged that a uniform cutting pressure is maintained atrgalltimes. 'Ihe cutter may be readily varied to cut slices of differentthicknesses.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thedetailed description of an illustrative form of the same which will nowbe given in commotion with the accompanying drawings in which:

1932, Serial No. 600,582

Fig. 1 is a side elevation vof an illustrative machine with parts brokenaway.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation through the machine along the line 3-3of Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail View in vertical section of a portion ofthe cutter and cooperating parts.

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged detail views of a portion of the cuttershowing its adaptability to cut slices of different thickness.

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail view of a portion of the feeding devices.

Fig. 8 is a rear face view of the cutter. and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view through the edge of the cutter,taken along the line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Referring now to the drawings, the illustrative machine may be providedwith any suitable form of supporting framework 10 having legs orpedestals extending to the floor o r any suitable foundation. The cutteris designated generally by the reference character 11 and is mounted torotate with a shaft 12 carried by suitable bearings in a portion of theframe. A motor 13 is arranged to drive the cutter through suitableconnections which may include sprockets 14 and 15 mounted on the motorshaft andshaft 12, re-

spectively, and a connecting chain 16. Assuming that the machine isdesigned to slice loaves of bread 17, these may be suitably carried bysupports 18, attached to the frame, along whic'h the loaves are adaptedto slide as they are confined between guide walls 19 and 20. The wall 19is preferably xed but in order to adapt the machine to accommodateloaves of different widths, the guide 20 is preferably made adjustable.For this purpose it may be provided with a number of extensions 2ladapted to rest upon portions of the framel l0 and provided withelongated slots to receive clamping bolts 22. The guide 20 should beadjusted to a position in which the loaves are permitted to slide freelybut are held against undue, lateral movement.

For the purpose of feeding the loaves along the supports 18, a series ofpushers or feeding elements 23 may be provided at spaced intervals on achain 24. This chain is supported at its right end by means of asprocket 25 and at its left end by a sprocket 26 secured to a shaft 27.The upper course of the chain is preferably also supported intermediatethe sprockets in any suitable way, not shown, so as to prevent sagging.'Ihe shaft 27 is'adapted to be rotated in synchronism with the rotationof the cutter through connections including awormwheel 28 secured to theshaft 27, a worm- 29 carried by a shaft 30, a sprocket 31 secured toshaft 30 and a chain 32 connecting this sprocket with a sprocket 33secured to the shaft 12. It will be apparent that through theseconnections the pushers or feeding elements 23 will be advanced in adefinite relation to the rotation of the cutter 11.

In normal use the slicing machine will generally be employed inconjunction with a wrapping machine. For this purpose the two machinesshould beso interrelated that the sliced loaves will be delivered inproper relation to the receiving end of the wrapping machine. Thepushers 23, therefore, are adapted to continue to advance'the loavesuntil they are` properly positioned to be transferred to the wrappingmachine. While the chain 24 is advanced continuously in the mannerexplained, a slight pause is necessary in the advance of a sliced loafin order to allow sufficient time to effect the transfer mentioned. Forthisreason, and for the further reason that it would be objectionable tohave the pushers 23 actively continue to advance the bread while thepushers are being swung around the sprocket 26, it is desirable toprovide for the disablement o f the pushers at a predetermined point inthe courseI of their travel. Furthermore, in

order that the machine may present loaves of different lengths at themost appropriate point to be handled by the transfer mechanism, it isdesirable that the point at which the pushers are disabled should bevariable. For this purpose each pusher may be provided with a rearwardlyextending arm 34, secured to a pintle 341 by which the pusher is securedto the chain. The arm is provided with a roller or rounded end adaptedto cooperate with a guide 35 mounted beneath the supports 18. 'I'heguide 35 is adjustable with respect to the supporting frame. So long asthe arm 34 engages this guide, the pusher 23 will be prevented fromrocking rearwardly. However, when the end or shoulder 351 of the guideis reached, the pusher is permitted to rock .idly backwardly and will nolonger advance the loaf of bread.` By adjusting the guide 35, the pointat which the pushers may be disabled maybe varied to suit the wrappingmachine and to take care of loaves of different lengths. The pushers 23are preferably spaced at approximately 20 inch intervals along the chainso that loaves of maximum length may be conveniently placed betweensuccessive pushers with a suitable clearance at the forward ends of theloaves to allow time for the transfer in the manner explained. Themaximum length of a loaf of bread now being sold in sliced form is 16inches, thus with the pushers spaced 20 inches apart a clearance of 4inches, which is more than adequate, is insured. Obviously the distancebetween the pushers may be varied, if desired, to take care of loaves ofdifferent lengths. l v

Referring now to Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 8, the details of construction of apreferred form of cutter may be noted. The cutter may comprise a blade36 formed of good cutting steel of suitable thickness, say for example,.085 of, an inch thick. This blade is provided with an opening 37 at itscenter and is adapted to be sprung apart to provide a helically arrangedcutting edge. For this purpose the blade is adapted to fit the outerface of a supporting member 38 secured to the shaft 12. The face of thismember is of such form as to provide a helical edge having a pitch orlead indicated by the line 39 (Fig. 5). Therefore.

when the blade is secured to the supporting member by means of bolts 40,or the like, the edge of the blade will assume a helical form having a.lead equal to the length of line 39. This line represents the thicknessof the slice of bread which is cut upon each revolution of the' cutter.Should it be desired to vary the thickness of the slice, the blade maysimply be clamped to a supporting member 381 having a different cam facewith ailead 391, as shown in Fig. 6. The opening 37 at the center of theblade permits its free ends to be quite readily sprung apart. As viewedfrom the front or back face, the cutter is provided with a serrated edge41 of spiral form (Figs. 3 and 8). Thus, the radius of the bladegradually increases fromv its smallest point 42 to its maximum at 421.The form of the spiral is such that the cutting pressure will be uniformthroughout the rotation of the blade. For this purpose the increase inthe radius of the blade is made uniform for equal, angular distances.Thus, while the length of the edge over an arc of, say, 30, will varyfrom the shorter radius to the longer radius, the form of the spiral issuch that the increase in radius will be the same for each 30 increment. Therefore, while the linear speed of different points at theedge of the cutter may vary, the cutting pressure which is determined bythe outward movement of the edge from the shorter to the longer radiuswill be uniform.

While the blade, to provide the necessary rigidity, is preferably formedof metal of a thickness of, say, .085 of an inch, it is desirable thatthe cutting edge of the blade be of less thickness so that it mayreadily enter the bread. For this purpose the blade is bevelled from theouter edge inwardly to a line 43 (Fig. 8).

edge,-for example only 1/2 inch in. However, at the larger radius thebevel extends inwardly to a greater distance of, say, 3 inches from theedge. This variation in extent of the bevel is necessary to allow forthe proper clamping of the blade to its support by means of the bolts40. The maximum extent of bevel is carried as far around from the largerto the smaller radius of the blade as is permitted by these bolts. Inorder to simplify thesharpening of the blade, it is preferably cut-in toa certain extent, as indicated at 44, at the base of each depression inthe serration.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that the guide wall 19 must bebroken away at a point adjacent the cutter in order to permit freepassage of the blade. 'I'he extent to which the guide wall is cut awaymust be slightly in excess of the helical lead provided on the blade. Inorder that the bread may be given lateral support during the cuttingoperation, at which time such support is most essential, a movable guidewall is provided in the gap formed in the fixed guide 19. The movableguide wall is then advanced at the same rate as the cutting edge of theblade, as determined by the speed of rotation and the helical lead ofthe blade. For this purpose there is provided a drum or cage 45 havingalternate .series of slots and upstanding guide fingers 46.

The slots between these fingers should be slight- At the shorter'`radius of the cutter this line is much nearer the ly in excess of thethickness of the blade and the pushers 23.

is rotated in synchronism with the rotation of the blade and insynchronism with the .advance of the pushers 23. Assuming, now, that theblade 36 is provided with a 1/2 inch lead so as to cut slices of 1/2inch thickness, the center lines of the fingers 46 should also be spacedat 1/2 inch intervals. In an arrangement in which the pushers 23 arespaced 20 inches apart on the chain,

as previously suggested, the drum may conveniently be provided withsixty fingers, the circumference of the drum then being thirty inches.This provides the drum with an adequate diameter so that there is nodanger of the blade, even at its longest radius, extending completelyacross the drum so as to iit into spaces between fingers atdiametrically opposite points. The guide wall 20 is also provided withan opening 201 which may conveniently taper from a width of say 3A of aninch at the top to about a quarter of an inch at the bottom. This willpermit the different sections of the blade to enter freely but at thesame time will lend some support to the advancing bread. A cage similarto the cage might be provided but this is considered unnecessar`y inview of the fact that the bladetends to press the bread toward the wall19. The supporting rails 18 are similarly provided with a transverseslot to permit the long radius portion of the blade to pass through.This slot need only be a little more than the thickness of the bladesince the helicallead of the portion of the blade which will reach intothe slot is only slight.

The operation of the device describedin detail in the foregoing sectionsmay be briefly outlined as follows: The motor 13 is set into operationto drive the cutter 11, the chain 24 and the drum 45 at suitablesynchronized speeds. of bread are successively inserted between theguides 19 and 20 in a position to be engaged by 4The loaves are thenadvanced into the path of the rotating cutter which introduces theportion .of its edge of smaller radius into the forward end of the loaf.Upon continued rotation of the blade it gradually sinks deeper anddeeper into the loaf due to the increase in the radius of the blade. Atthe same time the loaf is advanced both' by the action of the blade andby the action of the pusher to offset the displacement of the edge ofthe blade to the extent of its helical lead. When the loaf has been cutthrough to the bottom upon passage of the portion of longest radius ofthe blade through the loaf, a second bite will be taken by the portionof shortest radius at a point just the thickness l of a slice of breadfrom the original cut.l This action will continue throughout the lengthof the loaf. As the loaf advances past thel cutter the vcage 45 willrotate to provide a continuously advancing guide wall at the side oi theloaf, in the manner explained. When the end of the loaf is reached, itwill be necessary to carry'the pusher 23 past the path of the blade.This, however, is

readily accomplished due to the fact that the pusher may be ofconsiderably less thickness thana slice of bread, say between and M; of

Loaves ment. I'he net result ofl this arrangement will be that the lastslice at the end of the loaf adjacent the pusher will be less than thenormal `thickness bythe thickness 0f the pusher plus a reasonableclearance. While an illustrative form of the invention has beendisclosed in considerable detail, it will be understood that itsfeatures may be embodied in structures of considerably varying forms andadapted for a variety of diierent purposes. In the slicing of someproducts and even in the slicing of bread, if the machine is notassociated with a wrapping machine, the articles may be fed in acontinuously advancing stream without the intermediate pushers and gapsbetween the articles. The articles in advance of the cutter may be fedby any suitable gripping means while the cutter itself will continue thefeeding. While a special motor has been disclosed as provided for theslicing machine, it will be understood that if the machine is coupledwith a wrapping machine, this motor may be eliminated and the drive maybe taken from a' suitable operating part of the wrapping machine.Numerous other changes will suggest themselves to persons skilled in theart.

What we claim is:

1. A slicing machine comprising a rotatable cutter having a helicalcutting edge, parallel guide l -members adapted to engage the articles,said pushers being of less thickness than the helical lead of the cutterand being advanced through the path ofthe cutter, and common means fordriving said rotating means and said advancing means in synchronousrelation.

2. A slicing machine comprising a rotatable cutter having a helicalcutting edge', means f or continuously rotating said cutter, means forconinuously advancing articles to be sliced past said cutting edge, astationary guide wall for supporting and guiding one side of the articleas it is advanced, said wall being broken away adjacent said cutter, theconstruction and arrangement being such that the cutter extendssubstantially continuously through said broken-away portion of the guidewall, and a movable guide adapted to bridge the broken-away portion ofsaid guide wall, said movable guide being shifted with the articles. l

3. A slicing machine comprising a rotatable cutter having a helicalcutting edge, means for continuously rotating said cutter, means forcontinuously advancing articles to be sliced past said rio anothersideof the articles, said means having a slot permitting passage of thecutter therethrough, said guide being shifted with the articles -at thespeedof the axial advance of the cutting edge.

4. A slicing machine comprising a rotatable cutter having a helicalcutting edge of increasing radius from end to end-means for continuouslyrotating said cutter, means for continuously advancing articles to besliced 'past said cutting edge, a movable guide adjacent the cutterapertured to permit the passage of the cutter therethrough, the apertureinsaid guide being traversed by substantially the entire cutting edge,

said drum being arranged to guide the articles as they are sliced, andmeans for rotating said drum in unison with the advance of saidarticles.

6. In a machine of the class described a cutter having a helical cuttingedge of increasing radius from end to end, a guideway extending acrossthe path of said cutter providing support for two adjacent sides of anarticle to be sliced, -means extending through the support for one ofsaid sides for advancing the article, said cutter and guideway being soconstructed and arranged in l reation to each other as to cause saidcutter to cut completely through said article, movable means forming aportion of one side of said guideway Where the cutter intersects theguideway, and operating means for synchronously rotating said cutter,operating said article advancing means, and shifting said movable means.

7. In a machine of the class described a cutter having a helical cuttingedge of increasing radius, guide means having portions arranged atsubstantially right angles, said means extending across the path of saidcutter and serving to support and guide articles to be sliced, meansassociated with one of said portions for advancing the articles throughthe path of said cutter, means for rotating said cutter in a directionto force the-articles against said guide means portions, sadguide meansand cutter being so constructed'and arranged that said cutter will passcompletely `through said article, movable means interposed in one ofsaid guide means portions adjacent the cutter and forming a moving guidesurface, and means for synchronously operating -said article advancingmeans and said movable means.

8. In a machine of the class described a helical cutter having a cuttingedge of gradually increasing radius, means for rotating the cutter, astationary support beneath said cutter in a plane parallel with thecutter axis, the portion of said cutting edge of greatest radius passingthrough the plane of said support, an endless conveyor beneath saidsupport, pusher elements carried by said conveyor and extending abovesaid support to advance articles to be sliced, said elements being ofless thickness than the helical lead of said cutter, means for shiftingsaid conveyor in synchronism with the rotation of said cutter, and meansassociated with said elements for maintaining the same in definiterelation to said conveyor over portions of their travel and in freelymovable relation to said conveyor at other points.

9. In a machine of the class described a helical cutter having a cuttingedge of gradually increasing radius, means for rotating the cutter, astationary support beneath said' cutter in a plane parallel with thecutter axis, the portion of said cutting edge of greatest radius passingthrough the plane of said support, an endless conveyor beneath saidsupport, pusher elements carried by said conveyor and extending abovesaid support to advance articles to be sliced, said elements being ofless thickness than the helical lead of said cutter, means for shiftingsaid conveyor in synchronism with the rotation of said cutter, and

slotted means shiftable in synchronism with said conveyor for receivingthe edge of said cutter and guiding and retaining the side of an articleto be sliced.

10. Ina machine of the class described a cutter having a helical cuttingedge of increasing radius, guide means having portions arranged atsubstantially right angles, said means extending across the path of saidcutter and serving to support and guide articles to be s iced, meansasso-\ ciated with one of said portions for advancing the articlesthrough the path of said cutter, means for rotating said cutter in adirection to force the articles against said guide means portions, saidguide means and cutter being so constructed and arranged that saidcutter will pass completely through said article, one of said portionsof the guide means comprising a movable member having slots to receivethe edge of said cutter, and means for moving said member in synchronismwith the rotation of said cutter.

JAMES J. DIAMOND. HARRY TINSMAN. JAMES SCO'I'I.

